LIVE REVIEW: Tremonti Sings Sinatra @ Indigo At The O2, London
The weather outside was frightful. But the glow of the O2 Arena was somewhat delightful. Having navigated icy pavements like Bambi’s first time on the lake, we arrived at the O2 to a rather strange sight. Music lovers clad in jeans and t-shirts floated over the main arena for a night with ROSALIA while a subsection donned their finery and slipped inside Indigo; the smaller entertainment venue. Patrons young and old gathered to make casual chit chat over the soft piping of jazz music. Were it not for the few ALTER BRIDGE shirts dotted throughout the room, no one would be blamed for thinking this was going to be a sophisticated awards show. This merchandise served as a reminder as to the reason we’d gathered in the first place. The stage’s backdrop consisted of the artwork for TREMONTI SINGS SINATRA’s eponymous album released earlier this year.
While many had been plucked from their comfort zone with the strong suggestion only our Sunday best will do, some may use it as a segue to the organisation Mark Tremonti established: Take A Chance For Charity. Tremonti released this record with 100% of the proceeds being gifted to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). The organisation sits close to the heart of the Tremonti family as their latest addition, Stella, lives with down syndrome. With this in mind, the ticket cost and merchandising proceeds were also donated to the NDSS along with Down Syndrome International (DSI) which is based in London. The presidents of both charities were in attendance for what promised to be a magical evening.
After a short introduction, the live band took their seats and sizzled into Fun Time. A swinging number which instantly put smiles on faces. To be in the presence of a portion of Frank Sinatra’s ensemble as well as musicians from a prestigious London orchestra was exhilarating in a way we never thought we’d experience outside of a metal concert. Yet with feet tapping and people swaying in their seats, the comfort zone expanded. Mark Tremonti would saunter onto the stage in a suit and bow tie accessorised with possibly the biggest grin we’d ever seen. His excitement was infectious as Come Fly With Me flowed effortlessly from the thrash metal fan.
When we looked around the room to gauge the response of who we assumed to be Sinatra fans, we were pleased to see expressions of pleasant shock on their faces. “Sounds just like him” one whisper would come. As avid supporters of the project here at Distorted Sound, we couldn’t have been more delighted. Tremonti’s baritone vocals slotted in perfectly with the ensemble behind him. Luck Be A Lady saw Tremonti ease into his groove and let loose with a swagger which suits him.
“Hey there London” Tremonti grinned as cheers greeted him. We could feel the relief emanating from the guitarist. Taking a glance at the famed blue folder which contained his notes for the project, Tremonti took centre stage for a trivia lesson. He spoke of Sinatra and the music with such authority. Each factoid had been researched within an inch of its life and it showed. Tremonti became passion personified with each interlude as he held court on all things Frank Sinatra.
The first taste from the record, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, was spine chilling. Bouncy instrumentals whisked us away through a kaleidoscope of naïve young love. Eyes flitted between each instrumentalist relishing in the relaxed atmosphere. Looking at Tremonti was almost like seeing the reincarnation of Sinatra. How he stood while singing, the way he held the microphone cord, all the way down to the way he sat on a stool to croon Nancy (With The Laughing Face). Each note flowed so sweetly and sublimely. Some may have taken the silence during each song as a bad sign, but it was a silence of respect and appreciation for this man who had honed a craft to utter perfection.
Not one to settle in a particular mood for too long, Tremonti soon returned to teaching mode as he recanted the story of Sinatra’s popularity declining after an affair with actress Ava Gardner. After a ripple of laughter, the band counted in the jubilant I’ve Got The World On A String. The sign of a good concert is not knowing where your attention should centre. Flitting from vocals to the exemplary instrumentals on display, we were treated to an evening of exquisite talent which felt like a real “you had to be there” moment. Joy drove The Way You Look Tonight as Tremonti would steal glances at wife Victoria. The evening felt footloose and fancy free, the way any concert should be. Even the sadder I Fall In Love Too Easily had a sense of ease around it. The crack in Tremonti’s vocals at certain moments stirred emotions in many the only way this man knows how.
Proceedings came to a slight halt with technical difficulties. After a joke from Sinatra’s saxophonist; “We sound great up here, just so you know” an intermission was called, allowing for a hum of chatter. The Best Is Yet To Come brought Tremonti and company back to the stage after a few moments and became the sentiment of the evening. A softness infiltrated All Or Nothing At All, drawing people into the swagger of My Kind Of Town. But it was Wave which came as a surprise. While included on the record’s tracklist, many assume this deeper cut wouldn’t be played live. Citing the lowest note in Sinatra’s voice on record, Tremonti showed his first sign of nerves; “if I don’t pull this off, give me a break, okay?” came with a rippling laugh. He needn’t have worried however as not only was this uncharacteristically low not pulled off, Tremonti held a sense of suave throughout the sizzling song we wished we could bottle.
Soft notes of an acoustic guitar had many scrambling for their phones to film. My Way moved through the room like smoke. Plumes of notes hung in the air as Tremonti sang with a sense of reflection bordering on the wistful. Soft sighs of appreciation hissed at intervals. A couple left their seats and slow danced in the middle of the room to this celebration of life. My Way comes as a monumental task for many musicians but this was a mountain Tremonti climbed with the greatest of ease. The vibrato of the final notes sent chills throughout the entire room as hot tears stung many eyes.
The night laid out a feast of cuts from the record, Sinatra’s biggest hits, and some of Tremonti’s personal favourite songs. What would a concert in December have been without Christmas music? Not wanting to find out the answer, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town had a nostalgic feel to it which warmed the cockles of many. Tremonti’s love for Sinatra came from listening to his records as a child around Christmas and sharing his sentiment with a room full of strangers wanting to support his daughter and families who live with the financial hardship that down syndrome breeds was a wonderful moment. If My Way could have been bested, it would have been with The First Noel. It’s been said many times Tremonti has a way of eliciting emotional reactions from people with the simplest inflections of his voice and this was no different. Balanced beautifully with brass and piano melodies, this rendition of the famous carol was enchanting.
With a night as superb as this… how could you possibly end it? With the spit in the wind that is That’s Life. The audience willed Tremonti through the song though they needn’t have bothered. His delivery was perfection and the majesty he carried himself with proved he knew that. Tremonti sauntered around the stage as if he owned it, stepping aside to allow the accompanying band to be appreciated for the talent they are. The standing ovation which carried through into instrumental Queen Bee was hopefully enough to assure the ensemble that an annual gala event would be more than welcome.
We emerged into the brisk night with an easy and comfortable silence. The temperature may have plummeted but we were left with a warmth and rosiness to the cheeks which didn’t come from the bitter cold. It truly was a night to remember. We at Distorted Sound could not be more proud of Mark Tremonti for spearheading the campaign and providing a truly spectacular evening. We are also more than proud to support such a wonderful cause in Take A Chance For Charity.
Rating: 10/10
Check out our photo gallery of the special night in London from Karolina Janikunaite here:
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